Online sessions begin April 29, 2024. ENROLL NOW! Call 1-800-522-7737, email [email protected] or click here to contact us.

Online sessions begin April 29, 2024. ENROLL NOW! Call 1-800-522-7737, email [email protected] or click here to contact us.

About This Course

This cutting edge course provides in depth instruction in one of the most dynamic and challenging areas of the law. Paralegals in this exciting area work on copyrights, patents, trademarks, unfair competition, protection of trade secrets, and much more. The knowledge gained in this course is not only applicable to full or part-time law office employment, but is also essential for authors and business owners who may be involved in entertainment and contract matters. This challenging specialty is in great demand.

Course Objectives:

Participants will demonstrate the following skills through successful completion of all required coursework and assignments:

  • Define the meaning of intellectual property
  • Identify the types of intellectual property
  • Name the agencies responsible for intellectual property
  • Recognize the role of the paralegal in the area of intellectual property
  • Identify the purpose and function of trademarks
  • Name the four types of marks
  • Discuss common law rights involved in trademarks
  • List Federal regulations under the Lanham Act
  • Explain laws and treaties that affect intellectual property
  • Specify what material is excluded from trademark protection
  • Describe the trademark registration process
  • Identify the provisions of the 1976 Copyright Act
  • Explain the purposes of copyright law
  • Summarize the rights afforded by copyright law
  • Discuss the copyright registration process
  • Demonstrate the search process which is part of a copyright application
  • Assess the new developments in copyright law
  • Explain the Digital Millennium Copyright Act
  • Define copyright protection for automated databases
  • Demonstrate the copyright registration process
  • Describe the Semiconductor Chip Protection Act of 1984
  • Discuss the foundations of patent law
  • Explain the rights afforded under patent law
  • Define the three different types of patents
  • Summarize the patent application process
  • Identify patent infringement
  • Determine the defenses to infringement charges
  • Discuss the remedies for patent infringement
  • Discuss patent ownership and transfer or assignment of patent rights
  • Explain disputes over inventorship
  • Define shop right and inventions made by employees
  • Summarize licensing of patent rights
  • Define what is meant by a trade secret
  • Discuss liability for misappropriation of trade secrets
  • Name the defenses to trade secret misappropriation charges
  • Summarize the remedies available for trade secret misappropriation
  • Describe trade secret protection and programs

Expectations

You will be expected to spend an average of 8 hours per week reading and completing writing assignments. Please note that extensions will not be granted for this online course. 70% is the minimum passing score on all tests and assignments for this course. Students may consider working ahead in the curriculum if they have the time. Coursework in Intellectual Property is equivalent to 45 clock hours of study.

Prerequisites

Successful completion of Paralegal I and II, or equivalent experience.

Course Books

Required textbooks for this course:

  • Intellectual Property: The Law of Trademarks, Copyrights, Patents, and Trade Secrets, 5th Edition, Thomson Delmar Learning by Deborah E. Bouchoux. Order Now Online

Highly Recommended Legal Resources:

  • Oran’s Dictionary of the Law, 4th Edition, by Daniel Oran. Clifton Park: Delmar Cengage Learning
  • WESTLAW, legal research access, available for the duration of the course for only $89. Order Online Now

For more information, call CLS by BARBRI at 800-522-7737, or visit our Online Store to order.

Reading Assignments for Lesson Topics:

Lesson One: Introduction to Intellectual Property

  • Read Chapter 1 in Intellectual Property: The Law of Trademarks, Copyrights, Patents, and Trade Secrets (IP)

Lesson Two: The Law of Trademarks and Trademark Registration Process

  • Read Chapters 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 in IP

Lesson Three: Foundations of Copyright Law and Copyright Registration and Search

  • Read Chapters 9, 10, 11, 12 & 13, in IP

Lesson Four: New Developments in Copyright Law and Semiconductor Chip Protection Act

  • Read Chapters 14, 15 & 16 in IP

Lesson Five: The Law of Patents and Patent Infringement

  • Read Chapters 17, 18 & 20 in IP

Lesson Six: Patent Ownership and Transfer; The Law of Trade Secrets and Unfair Competition

  • Read Chapters 19, 22 & 23 in IP

Writing Assignments:

For each lesson you will submit a 50-point short answer assignment covering the topics in that lesson’s reading.

Exams:

You will complete two exams. Each is worth 100 points. The Midterm exam is to be submitted with your Lesson Three Assignments; the Final exam is to be submitted with your Lesson Six Assignments.

Bulletin Board Assignments:

You will also post your responses to six class participation assignments. These assignments are referred to as Bulletin Board Submissions and will be submitted by either selecting Bulletin Board Submission from within the lesson material, or by selecting ‘Forums’ under Activities in the course.

All lesson objectives, assignments, and tests can be found in the Lesson Materials.

Grading

Your grade will be based on your completion of six writing assignment assignments, two exams, and class participation/Bulletin Board Submissions. The exams and writing assignments can be accessed from within the lesson material, or by selecting ‘Assignments’ under Activities in the course. You will have the opportunity to engage in “class participation” by using the Bulletin Board tool to respond to the bulletin board assignments throughout the course. Also, participating in the bulletin board assignments will enhance your understanding of the reading material.

Your final grade will be figured as follows:

  • The six writing assignments are worth 50 points each and comprise 40% of your grade.
  • The two exams are worth 100 points and comprise 40% of your grade.
  • Your participation in class participation assignments comprises 20% of your grade.

Withdrawal Policy

Students may drop the course with a full tuition refund less a non-refundable $50 administrative fee if written notice is sent to CLS by BARBRI by email at [email protected] by the Wednesday before class begins. Students may drop the course with a 50% tuition refund if written notice is sent to CLS by BARBRI by email at [email protected] anytime from the Thursday before the course begins until the first Thursday of class. After the first Thursday of class, no refunds will be issued.

Please NOTE: If you registered for a CLS course directly with the college or university, you are subject to the school’s refund/drop policies.